smilingstone

Hi VJ I couldn't seem to find a thread for April 2025 AOS filers so thought I could start it off. We only sent everything off yesterday (April 7th) evening, so I have no timeline updates to share yet but look forward to doing so. We had hoped for a March filing, but life got the better of us. Better late than never, even if only 10 days from the end of my lawful presence! If you have filed this month and have any questions or info to share, please do-so! On this topic, I'm curious to see how Trump's pause on GC processing will affect us - and anyone who files in subsequent months. I am anticipating a looooooong wait...

This is pretty much what me and my now-husband (USC) also did. :-)

Embassies vary but my understanding is that generally if the medical results are not received at the point of interview, they will just issue a 221g pending the results. This does not mean denied, just that they refuse to issue the visa before having all required documents. I think this is a common issue for people, as it can be tricky to get the timing right. In my own experience, my medical was 1 week before my interview and I was fully prepared for a 221g as everything said to allow a minimum of 2 weeks between them, but those were the only dates I could make work due to work commitments and needing to travel 250 miles each way to and from the medical/embassy. Luckily, it didn't come to that for me but I would advise you come to terms with the possibility too.

It says right there on the letter: You didn't initial and date the pages you sent. I imagine this instruction was made clear in the original RFE. You now need to file I-290B. If you did not understand the instructions, it is perhaps advisable that you get an immigration attorney involved.

Thank you for this. I hope to be joining you soon and contributing on this next journey.

Jumping in here with my own question, if that's alright. I am getting ready to submit my AOS packet and had completing certain sections of the I-693. It wasn't that clear to me that it shouldn't be included at all and the instructions on the form state that if you completed your medical abroad you are only to provide parts 1 - 5, 7 and 10: That also confuses me though as sections of those parts require completion of a civil surgeon, which I am not, so I'm unclear if I am to complete that, as I'm obviously not in a position to get the same CS to sign off on it... I handed in my packet at POE upon entry, and have a copy of my DS-3025 which I was going to provide with the AOS packet. Can anyone confirm what I need to do? I think the VJ AOS timeline is a little out of date so is causing me some confusion.

Wow, thank you, so glad I asked! For some reason it didn't even occur to me that it would be that, maybe because I am completing my own I-485 so thought I would be the petitioner? Wow, thank you, so glad I asked! For some reason it didn't even occur to me that it would be that, maybe because I am completing my own I-485 so thought I would be the petitioner?

Hi all, Can anyone tell me what box the main sponsor (USC, spouse of K1 entrant) must tick on pg.1 of I-864 when the AOS application will include an accompanying I-864a from an additional household member? I am unsure if it would be 1.d. or 1.e. due to the definition of "joint sponsor". Thank you!

Just posting a quick update for any followers. I still hadn't recieved my SSN card since my appointment on 6th Feb. I called the national 1 800 number for SSA yesterday as it looks like online scheduling is gone (or buried somewhere, it was so easy for me to set up my first appt, but now it's not) and was on hold for over 2 hours before giving up. Yesterday evening, I read some online posts advising others to contact their local office directly to schedule, so I did that this afternoon. I was on hold no more than 15 min and a lovely lady confirmed a number had been generated and gave me my SSN over the phone (reason was I had waited 1 month). She also scheduled an appt for me at that office for in 2 weeks time should my card still not arrive so I can arrange a replacement). Thankfully I can now move forward with the AOS. 😊

Yes, I got approved and we're now married. See my sig for details.

OK, I might call and ask, then just wait it out. Suppose I have no choice! Thank you.

Thanks for super speedy reply! I thought as much on the name stuff. No idea what my SSN is. When I left the SSA interview, I was just given a letter confirming I attended the appointment and that I can expect my card within 14 business days (and it's technically only been 14, not including the day I interviewed or today as it's not even 10am here...) Is this something I could resolve over the phone? Visiting the SSA requires making an appointment and it's also a bit of a drive which involve hubbie taking time off work to take me.

Hey all, We're making a start on my AOS paperwork and I have a couple of questions: 1) Do I need to change my name on my SSN before filing for the AOS? I interviewed at local SSA on 6th Feb and am still waiting on the card. We got married on 16th Feb and I'm a little concerned now because I'm unsure how much longer it will take, and I may also have to factor in the time it takes to change my name on my SSN too. My K1 expiration is 17th April. The AOS forms ask if I have an SSN and, if so, what it is (or if not, if I would like USCIS to provide one). I have read that our marriage cert is all we need to evidence my change of name, but hubbie thinks that the change on my SSN is the real legal name change. Are we safe to move ahead before my SSN arrives and leave that part, or should we wait? Or should I ask USCIS to provide a new SSN with my married name, even though I have already requested one in my maiden name prior to marriage? 2) The forms ask about previous criminal history. I have one arrest dating back 20 years ago for shoplifting. Of course I am selecting YES for the relevant questions. Should I provide copies of my police cert and SAR that I gathered for my original embassy interview, to go alongside a written explanation of the details? This one is a little worrying as I thought I was already determined as eligible after going through vetting at the original embassy interview with this stuff. Thank you!

Hi all, I came across some info on the Enumeration Beyond Entry (EBE) process, which sounds like an SSN can be provided through USCIS and the AOS process, removing the requirement for a K1 to visit an SSA office pre or post marriage. Has anyone heard of this and knows if it is advisable? Info is: You may not need to visit a Social Security office or Social Security Card center if you apply using the Form I-765 (Application for Employment Authorization), I-485 (Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status), if you are approved for any of these applications through USCIS, and elected to apply for an SSN. USCIS will collect information on behalf of SSA to process the SSN card. [https://www.ssa.gov/ssnumber/ss5doc.htm] Under the Enumeration at Entry (EAE) program, any lawful permanent resident can apply for both an immigrant visa and a Social Security number (SSN) by filing an immigrant visa application (Form DS-230 or DS-260) at a Department of State (DoS) office in their home country. If the visa is granted, DoS transmits the identifying information from the person's visa application to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). [https://www.ssa.gov/faqs/en/questions/KA-10040.html#:~:text=Under the Enumeration at Entry,arrive in the United States.] Thoughts would be appreciated!

It looks like you didn't include any communication transcripts (texts, WhatsApp, etc). It's secondary but it helps. For example, in our petition, we included approx. 12 pages of texts (6 from him, 6 from me) just showing our conversations - none of it even pertained to marriage or plans, just clearly showing that we were in regular consistent communication and talked about all manner of things (food, planned trips, going about our days, etc). We also included a 2 page document that explained how we met (online), when we first met in person and how we both wanted to be together in the US. All in all, our file was 50+ pages.